THE CORRESPONDENCE OF PAUL AND SENECA
From "The Apocryphal New Testament"
M.R. James-Translation and Notes
Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1924
Introduction
The Correspondence of Paul and Seneca existed in the fourth century, for Jerome
mentions it, says it was 'read by many', and is led by it to insert Seneca in
his catalogue of Christian authors; Augustine also, quoting the genuine Seneca,
says, 'of whom some letters to the apostle Paul are current read'. The
Pseudo-Linus inserts a paragraph in his Passion of Paul telling how Seneca
frequently conversed and corresponded with Paul, admired him much, and read some
of his writings to Nero.
Manuscripts as old as the ninth century exist, and of the twelfth--fifteenth
centuries there are many. The composition is of the poorest kind: only its
celebrity induces me to translate it once again.
1. SENECA TO PAUL, greeting
I believe, Paul, that you have been informed of the talk which I had yesterday
with my Lucilius about the apocrypha (or possibly the secret mysteries) and
other things; for certain sharers in your teaching were with me. For we had
retired to the gardens of Sallust, where, because of us, those whom I speak of,
going in another direction, saw and joined us. Certainly we wished for your
presence, and I would have you know it. We were much refreshed by the reading of
your book, by which I mean some of the many letters which you have addressed to
some city or capital of a province, and which inculcate the moral life with
admirable precepts. These thoughts, I take it, are not uttered by you but
through you, but surely sometimes both by you and through you: for such is the
greatness of them and they are instinct (warm) with such nobility, that I think
whole generations (ages) of men could hardly suffice for the instilling and
perfecting of them. I desire your good health, brother.
2. PAUL TO SENECA, greeting
I received your letter yesterday with delight, and should have been able to
answer it at once, had I had by me the youth I meant to send to you. For you
know when, and by whom, and at what moment, and to whom things ought to be given
and entrusted. I beg, therefore, that you will not think yourself neglected,
when I am respecting the dignity of your person. Now in that you somewhere write
that you are pleased with my letter (or, write that you are pleased with part of
my letter) I think myself happy in the good opinion of such a man: for you would
not say it, you, a critic, a sophist, the teacher of a great prince, and indeed
of all -unless you spoke truth. I trust you may long be in health.
3. SENECA TO PAUL, greeting
I have arranged some writings in a volume, and given them their proper
divisions: I am also resolved to read them to Caesar, if only fortune be kind,
that he may bring a new (an interested) ear to the hearing. Perhaps you, too,
will be there. If not, I will at another time fix you a day, that we may look
over the work together: indeed, I could not produce this writing to him, without
first conferring with you, if only that could be done without risk: that you may
know that you are not being neglected. Farewell, dearest Paul.
4. PAUL TO ANNAEUS SENECA, greeting
Whenever I hear your letters read, I think of you as present, and imagine
nothing else but that you are always with us. As soon, then, as you begin to
come, we shall see each other at close quarters. I desire your good health.
5. SENECA TO PAUL, greeting
We are much pained by your retirement. What is it? what causes keep you away? if
it be the anger of the lady (Poppaea) because you have left the old rite and
sect, and have converted others, there will be a possibility of pleading with
her, that she may consider it as done on due reflection and not lightly.
6. PAUL TO SENECA AND LUCILIUS, greeting
Of the subject on which you have written I must not speak with pen and ink, of
which the former marks out and draws somewhat, and the latter shows it clearly,
especially as I know that among you -that is, in your homes and in you- there
are those who understand me. Honour is to be paid to all, and so much the more
because men catch at opportunities of being offended. If we are patient with
them, we shall certainly over-come them at every point, provided they be men who
can be sorry for their actions. Farewell.
7. ANNAEUS SENECA TO PAUL AND THEOPHILUS, greeting
I profess myself well content with the reading of your letters which you sent to
the Galatians, Corinthians, and Achaeans; and may we so live together as you
show yourself to be inspired with the divine frenzy (horror). For it is the holy
spirit which is in you and high above you which expresses these exalted and
adorable thoughts. I would therefore have you careful of other points, that the
polish of the style may not be wanting to the majesty of the thought. And,
brother, not to conceal anything from you, and have it on my conscience, I
confess to you that the Augustus was moved by your views. When I read to him the
beginning of the power (virtue) that is in you (perhaps he meant your exordium
about virtue) his words were these: that he could wonder that a man not
regularly educated could think thus. I replied that the gods often speak by the
mouths of the simple (innocent), not of those who try deceitfully to show what
they can do by their learning. And when I cited him the example of Vatienus the
rustic, to whom two men appeared in the territory of Reate, who afterwards were
recognized as Castor and Pollux, he appeared fully convinced. Farewell.
8. PAUL TO SENECA, greeting
Though I am aware that Caesar, even if he sometimes lapses, is a lover of our
wonders, you will suffer yourself to be, not wounded but admonished. For I think
that you took a very serious step in bringing to his notice a matter alien to
his religion and training. For since he is a worshipper of the gods of the
nations, I do not see why you thought you would wish him to know this matter,
unless I am to think that you did it out of excessive attachment to me. I beg
you not to do so in future; For you must be careful not to offend the empress in
your love for me: yet her anger will not hurt us if it lasts, nor do good if it
does not [this is nonsense]. As a queen, she will not be angry: as a woman, she
will be offended. Farewell.
9. SENECA TO PAUL, greeting
I know that you are not so much disturbed on your own account by my letter to
you on the showing of your letters to Caesar, as by the nature of things, which
so calls away the minds of men from all right learning and conduct -so that I am
not surprised, for I have learnt this for certain by many examples. Let us then
act differently, and if in the past anything has been done carelessly, you will
pardon it. I have sent you a book on elegance of expression (store of words).
Farewell, dearest Paul.
10. TO SENECA, PAUL, greeting
Whenever I write to you and do not place my name after yours (see the heading) I
do a serious thing and one unbefitting my persuasion (sect). For I ought, as I
have often declared, to be all things to all men, and to observe in your person
that which the Roman law has granted to the honour of the senate, and choose the
last place in writing (text, reading) a letter, not striving to do as I please
in a confused and disgraceful way. Farewell, most devoted of masters. Given on
the 5th of the kalends of July; Nero the fourth time, and Messala, consuls (A.
D. 58).
11. SENECA TO PAUL, greeting
Hail, my dearest Paul. If you, so great a man, so beloved in all ways, be -I say
not joined- but intimately associated with me and my name, it will indeed be
well with your Seneca. Since then, you are the summit and topmost peak of all
people, would you not have me glad that I am so near you as to be counted a
second self of yours ? Do not, then, think that you are unworthy to be named
first on the heading of letters, lest you make me think you are testing me
rather than playing with me -especially as you know yourself to be a Roman
citizen. For the rank that is mine, I would it were yours, and yours I would
were mine. Farewell, dearest Paul. Given on the 10th of the kalends of April;
Apronianus and Capito consuls (59).
12. SENECA TO PAUL, greeting
Hail, my dearest Paul. Think you that I am not in sadness and grief, that your
innocent people are so often condemned to suffer? And next, that the whole
people thinks you so callous and so prone to crime, that you are supposed to be
the authors of every misfortune in the city? Yet let us bear it patiently and
content ourselves with what fortune brings, until supreme happiness puts an end
to our troubles. Former ages had to bear the Macedonian, Philip's son, and,
after Darius, Dionysius, and our own times endured Gaius Caesar: to all of whom
their will was law. The source of the many fires which Rome suffers plain. But
if humble men could speak out what the reason is, and if it were possible to
speak without risk in this dark time, all would be plain to all. Christians and
Jews are commonly executed as contrivers of the fire. Whoever the criminal is
whose pleasure is that of a butcher, and who veils himself with a lie, he is
reserved for his due season: and as the best of men is sacrificed, the one for
the many, so he, vowed to death for all, will be burned with fire. A hundred and
thirty-two houses and four blocks have been burnt in six days, the seventh
brought a pause. I pray you may be well, brother. Given the 5th of the kalends
of April; Frugi and Bassus consuls (64).
13. SENECA TO PAUL, greeting
Much in every part of your works is enclosed in allegory and enigma, and
therefore the great force that is given you of matter and talent (?) should be
beautified, I do not say with elegance of words, but with a certain care. Nor
should you fear what I remember you have often said; that many who affect such
things vitiate the thought and emasculate the strength of the matter. But I wish
you would yield to me and humour the genius of Latin, and give beauty to your
noble words, that the great gift that has been granted you may be worthily
treated by you. Farewell.
Given on the day before the nones of June; Leo and Sabinus consuls
(non-existent).
14. PAUL TO SENECA, greeting
To your meditations have been revealed those things which the Godhead has
granted to few. With confidence, therefore, I sow in a field already fertile a
most prolific seed, not such matter as is liable to corruption, but the abiding
word, an emanation from God who grows and abides for ever. This your wisdom has
attained and you will see that it is unfailing -so as to judge that the laws of
heathens and Israelites are to be shunned. You may become a new author, by
showing forth with the graces of rhetoric the unblameable wisdom of Jesus
Christ, which you, having well nigh attained it, will instil into the temporal
monarch, his servants, and his intimate friends, yet the persuading of them will
be a rough and difficult task, for many of them will hardly incline to your
admonitions. Yet the word of God, if it be instilled into them, will be a vital
gain, producing a new man, incorrupt, and an everlasting soul that shall hasten
from hence to God. Farewell, Seneca, most dear to me.
Given on the kalends of August; Leo and Sabinus consuls.